What Was it Like to Work on the Space Shuttle: The Misadventures of a Space Cadet

Gregory N. Cecil, M.A.S.

Author Gregory N. Cecil, M.A.S., a Florida State Certified Educator, Nationally Certified Aerospace Technician, and former Senior Aerocomposite Technician for the Space Shuttle Fleet, has an entertaining 45-minute presentation with a follow-up Q&A period describing his experiences working in the Space Shuttle Program from a technician’s point of view. Cecil describes the education involved, hiring process, and day to day activities working in the Space Shuttle Program using his own pictures and stories. (Bonus: Screening of the movie, “I Want to be an Astronaut,” time permitting, runs 38 minutes.)

Gregory N Cecil, M.A.S.

Author Gregory Cecil is a former Senior Aerocomposite Technician for the Space Shuttle Program and worked on the Thermal Protection System. Cecil earned a master's degree in Aeronautical Science specializing in Space Operations Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and holds a Florida Professional Educator's Certificate for secondary school science, making him the nation’s only Nationally Certified Aerospace Technician and certified educator.

Currently, Cecil is the National Coordinator for Schools-to-Space, a secondary school outreach program for SpaceTEC, based in Cape Canaveral, and an adjunct professor in the Aviation Graduate Program for Everglades University in Tampa, Fla. Cecil is also the author of “Classroom Laboratory at the Edge of Space: Introducing the Mini-Cube Program.” He currently resides in Clearwater, Fla., with his wife Linda. More can be found out about Cecil at his LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/pub/gregory-cecil-m-a-s/25/97a/930